Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 December 1891 — ROYAL RANGER RALPH; :on: The Waif of the Western Prairies. [ARTICLE]

ROYAL RANGER RALPH; :on: The Waif of the Western Prairies.

BY WELDON J. COBB.

CHAPTER XU IN THE CAVE. Banger Ralph, the old scoot, was not Idle whtie all the event; described since his mishap at the river were transpiring. When the horses ran away and dashed the wagon over tho cliff near Lone Canyon Tavern, tho ranger at first gave himself np for lost. Tho descent was a terrible one, and he clung to the sides of the wagon as it turned and fell, and finally struck tho water with a crash. Then, dazed and bruised, he was half conscious that the horses had become separated from the vehicle, and that tho latter, badly shattered, was floating down the stream. It bad now become so dark, especially In the shelter of the cliffs that lined tho river perpendicularly, that he could not estimate his situation except that he was being borne rapidly away from the scene of the accident by the stream's swift current. “I’m rid of the outlaws, any way,” he muttered grimly, “and probably near their stronghold. I wonder if young Grey has managed to find the girl, or if she is still a captive and on her way to this desolate place?” r His predicament was not a pleasant one, for the wagon box was immersed in water and he was wot through from tho dip in the stream. Finally it began to sink so low that he was c impelled to climb out on the seat, and thence later to the top of the wagon cover itself. From here he regardod the fast-flying landscape si ently and clung to his frail raft as it was driven hither and thither by the rock-choked current There was a final crash, and Ranger Ralph was flung head foremost into the river. The wagon was splintered to pieces as it came in contact with a huge rock in midstream, and floated away leaving the scout floundering in the water. He managed to reach the shore, and stood with dripping garments ruefully surveying his situation. Darkness and solitude surrounded him, and there seemed no moans of leaving leaving the narrow, confined canyon except by the waterway up and down stream. Suddenly a light appeared in tho distance, and the scout stood peering at it for some time, vainly endeavoring to make out its location and cause. “It must be a lantern or camp-fire of the outlaws,” he decided, and ho determined to endeavor to make his way toward it. In the darkness and amidst unfamiliar scenes this was no easy task, and his progress was slow and laborious. Clinging to trailing vines and shrubs, scaling rocks, fording and swimming, he managed finally to gain a pile of rocks directly beyond which was tho light he had seen. It proved to be as he had surmised, a camp-fire, built somewhat back in a cave-like aperture of the rocks. It was accessible by a narrow, dangerous path from the cliff above, and was evidently one of the entrances to the mountain fastness of the bandits. A dozen rough forms were visible in tho glow of tho firelight, and among them Ranger Ralph readily recognized I several whom he had known to be members of Despard's outlaw band. From his place of espionage tho old scout could watch his enemies and determine at leisure the best course to pursue. There was no fear of interruption, for while he might gain the entrance to the cave it was not likely that they would come his wav. He was so near, to the entrance of the ca\e that he would almost hear the laughter and conversation. There was only this ledge of rock between him and the open spaco in front of the cave. The scout crouched low as two men came toward where he was. At first he determined to retreat, as he feared they were coming over tho ledge; but as they paused at the edge of the stream near by he discerned that one of them bore a bucket in his hand, and that they had come to obtain water for the camp. “What’s the programme, anyway?” he heard one of the men ask; and the other replied; “A general breaking up r of the band, I hear the boys say. ” “And a division of the profits?” “Yes. It's whispered about that Despard Is tired of tho life, and that it Las become too dangerous to suit him. He's afraid of trouble with Shadow Snake, and he’s got some scheme for a fortune about the girl he has brought here.” “What trouble could he have with Shadow Snake?” “He’s afraid the old Modoc chieftain will learn about his treachery in regard to the princess.” “White Fawn?” “Yes; and Danton and he have played the Indians false. ” “About what?" “The emigrant tra ! n. They sto e most of the plunder, and tho Snake will resent this and our desertion. I wouldn’t wonder if the Modoc chief sent a messenger to demand restitution. Anyway, he’s mado enemies of the savages by his actions." The men returned to the cave just then, but their conversation formed a theme of thought in the sccut’s mind for some time after their departure. “The girl Is here,” muttered the: ranger, “and Despard has some plan for leaving.the country. I must learn what his schemes are, and at once. Hut how?” Ranger Ralph reflected deeply for over an hour.' Then, as a bold idea flashed upon his mind, he determined on its immediate execution. He theorized readily that Despard meditated leaving the country, and that he would probably take Inez Tracey with him. The girl was now donbtless a prisoner in the outlaw’s stronghold. The fortune her father had left her was the object of Despard's plot. To rescue the girl and foil the renegade in securing that fortune, the scoutfelt that he must act quickly. Ranger Ralph was noted aldng the frontier for his shrewdness, not only as a scout but as a detective. It was in the latter capacity that he had now decided to act, and although his design was a bold one, he believed that he would be able to successfully dkrry It Into execution. Rapidly he formulated his pW'n. It consisted, first, In the assumption of a perfect disguise, and the hardy old ranger, fully prepared for just such contingencies as the present one, was soon at work on a thorough' transformation Of his personal appearance. With a keen-edged razor he shaved off his luxuriant beard. Then he proceeded to paint his face and arrange his attire in accordance with his designs. When he had completed his tallet it is doubtful If his nearest friend would have recognized him He resembled a half-breed, and his stained skin, one eye shaded by a bandage, limping gait and general uncivil-

ized appearance gave him jnst the look he desired, to enable him to penetrate to the enemy’s camp with his identity unsuspected. When be had fully completed his mental plan of action, the scout cautiously clambeied over the ledge of rocks and made his way toward the camp fire. Several forms sprang to their feet and impeded his further progress • as he reached tho entrance to the cave. A man whom he recognized as Van e raised a gun menacingly. “What do you want? Who are you? How came you here?” he demauded quickly. In accordance with his assumed character, the scout folded his arms over his breast and adopted a sullen, defiant expression of face. “The Hlack Crow,” ho muttered. “I must see him. ” “Who are you?” “Tallula, the half-breed.” “How did you come here?" “The Modoc knows the ihlding-place of the white men and the paths that lead to it,” was the scout’s steady reply, admirably couched In tho Indian vernacular. V ance stared. “Ha!” he ejaculated, “you come from the Modocs?” “I come from the emigrant train. I bear a messaga Where is the Crow?” “Why do you wish to see him?” “He will know when he remembers his broken pledge to Shadow Snake.” It was evident from Vance’s manner that he ret ailed tho fact of Despard's double-dealing with tho Modoc chieftain. He glanced uneasily beyond the supposed messenger from the Modocs. “Did Tallula come alone?” he asked. “Yes. ” “Sit down by the camp-fire there; I will speak with the Crow.” Ranger Ralph smiled complacently to himself at the success of his imposition so far, but assumed a studied attitude of sullen silence until Vance had returned. “Come,” said the latter; “the Crow wishes tota.k with you.” “Ugh!” The scout was led into the ca\e through several long passages, and finally into an apartment that was apparently a portion of a wooden hut that was built over the ri,ver and Into the cliff. Despard and Danton sat at a tab'e drinking, and tho former glanced at tho somber figure of Vance’s companion. “Here is tho half-breed from the Modocs,” explained Vance. “From Shadow Snake?” asked Despard.

“Ugh!” replied the scout in a disguised tone of voice. “What does he want?” “His sharo of the plunder taken from the emigrant train. The Crow has played him false, and he seeks restitution or revenge. ” Despard evinced a cool unconcern of the scout’s somber threats. He- listened calmly while the disguised ranger In guttural tones fold of the dissatisfaction aud anger of tho 'Modoc chieftain; Then he said: “Shadow Snake demands gold’” “Ugh!” “And if it is not sent to him?” “War,” was the laconic reply. “When must he have Ills answer?” “In two suns. ” “Good. Before another day is past, Tallula shall know my decision. You can stay here until then.” Ranger Ralph retired with calm dignity, and congratulated himself upon tho fact that he had not been recognized by tho outlaw. “Watch that half-breed closely, ” said Despard to Vance; and the latter followed the scout from the room. “We have no timo to lose?” said Danton, when they were alone. “That is true.” “The Modocs will march against us unless we return a sharo of the booty.” “Then we will act at once. I have located the haunt of the old hermit. ” “Walford?” “Yes; and in tho morning I shall go there. Once I secure the secret of Inez Tracey’s fortune, I shall leave a small amount of plunder for them to divide, and you and Vance, the girl, and myself will leave this part of tho country forever.” Meanwhile Ranger Ralph had been led toward the river end of the cavo Dy Vance. He paused ere they reached the campfire. “Tallula is weary,” he said. “All right; you can sleep anywhere here ” The pretended half-bro d flung himself upon a broad rock. Vance contented himself with prooeeding to the sj.ot where his companions were, and after telling them to see that Tallula did not leave the cave, paid no further attention to the scout. The latter had fully decided to explore the bandits’ haunt, in the hope of finding Inez. After a while he left the rocks, and, unperceived by tho men around the camp-fire, began examining the various passages and apartments of the great underground cavern they occupied. There was one dim corridor down which he could see a light burning, and he stealthily made ffis way toward it He drew back in the shadow of a projecting shelf of stone as he saw, directly ahead of him, in an embrasure In the corridor, a man seated on the floor of tho cave. His back was to the scout, and he seemed to be lazily nodding as if in sleep. “A guard,” muttered the scout, thrilling to quick interest at his discovery. “There must be some one in the cave beyond, perhaps the girl herself. ” Ranger Ralph peered cautiously beyond the spot where the corridor enlarged. He started as ho discovered that a large apartment terminated tho liassageway. Upon a rudo log tablo v.as a second lantern, and Its rays showed a couch covered with a pantherskin. Upon this the scout made out a familiar form. It was that of the very maiden who was the theme of all his anxious thoughts. He stood spell-bound, yet excited, gazing silently at the girl, whose head was bent in her hands, as if in grief aud despair. Rapidly he began to form a plan for evading tho guard in the corridor and reaching Inez. As he stood there a sudden episode batfed all his plans. He saw Inez Tracey start to her feet and stare in wild emotion at the opposite side of the leave. This portion of the cavern was at that moment completely shut out from Ranger Ralph’s range of vision. Vaguely he heard a voice speak her name. He saw the girl's face express the deepest joy and relief. At that moment the attention of the guard seemed directed to the apartment. He arose siezed a revolver from his feet, and began to creep towards the cave. Intensely Interested and yet perplexed Ranger Ralph stood watching the scene of what promised to be a most exciting and momentous episode. CHAPTER XVII. Whoever it was that had apparently entered the cave apartment where Inez Tracey was, that person did not evidently see or know of the near proximity of the bandit guard. Even the imprisonod maiden seemed unaware of his presence, for her beautiful face, fully revealed to tie gaze of the scout in the light of the lantern, glowed only with emotions of gladness. The guard, adopting a stealthy.

! erouchlng movement, began to stepl i gradually toward the apartment. Ranger Ralph's attention was divided { between him and Inez. He saw that ; the outlaw was too thoroughly engrossed j in watching the inmates of the apartI ment to pay any attention to hint. Cau- ; tiously, therefore, the scout began to I steal after him. A few steps enabled him to gain a | complete view of the Interior of the cave, j He came to a dead stop with sheer suri prise as he saw the cause of the girl's emotion. “Darrel Grey!" be muttered under his breath. It was indeed the young scout As the reader will lemember, after he left White Fawn he had penetrated to the cavo of the outlaws from the inclosed valley into which he had fallen. When Despard had removed Inez to the cave, Darrel had reached a spot where a huge rock blocked up tho entrance to the apartment For over an hour he sought to push this barrier away and at last he had succeeded. It was his entrance that had so startled tho captive maiden. “Inez!” he criod, and sprang toward her with outstretched arms. lu the first impulse and rapture of love and joy Inez had glided to greet him. A modest flush surmounted her brow, and sho paused, trembling and confused, as he seized her band fervently. “Oh, Darrel—Mr. Grey! You have come to rescue me. ” “Yes. But wo must not delay. ” “There is a way of escape?” “By tho way I came, yes. Ha! What Is that?” Darrel drew tho startled Inez closer to his side and recoiled quickly as he discovered the guard. The latter had moved into full view. “Retreat toward tho opening to the valley,” directed Darrel to his fair companion. “Hold!” The guard leveled his revolver as he spoke. Evidently he recognized Darrel as an intruder and an enemy. The lat er was entirely unarmed, the savages having taken his firearms from him when they tied him to tho stake at the Rueblo River encampment. Inez had nearly reached tho aperture in the wall, when tho guard raised Ills revolver. Ranger Ralph had taken In the sceno at a glance, and resolved lo act quickly, as ho discerned the peril of his young friend Darrel Grey. With a rapid spring he was fairly upon the guard. Too lato, however, to prevent the shot the latter had directed at Darrel. Tho bullet sped wide of Its mark. The report of the pistol, however, awoke all thfe silent echoes of the cave. With one blow the old scout felled the guard insensiblo to tho floor of the cave. Then, springing over his prostrate form, he seized the revolver that had fallen from his grasp. Darrel Grey recognized him with a joyful cry. “Ranger Ralph!” he ejaculated. Inez glanced with quick interest at the man she knew to bo her father’s oldtime friend and her own. The scout glanced back at the corridor with an alarmed face, as he beard a new commotion. Two men had como suddenly Into view. Ranger Ralph divined In a flash that they had been companions of the guard. Doubtless they had been sleeping in the embrasure in the corridor, and he had not noticed them. Tho shot had aroused them, and as they entered the apartment they comprehended the situation at a glance. “Fly!” ordered the scout to Darrel and Inez. “But the out aws will bo aroused " “I will hold these two at bay, and cover your escapo. ” IXO ME CONTINUED. 1